Microscope for Microstructural Characterization of Orthopaedic Tissues

描述（由申请人提供）：本仪器建议书适用于Eclipse 90 i电动高级研究显微镜（Nikon Instruments，梅尔维尔，NY，USA），配有OSTEO 2009骨生物学研究系统软件（BIOQUANT Image Analysis Corporation，纳什维尔，TN，USA）和Dell T3400工作站和显示器（Dell Corporation）。Nikon Eclipse 90 i显微镜是最先进的研究系统。它与我们的大型用户群可用的其他显微镜的区别在于集成的电动z轴，用于自动捕获图像堆栈，这将用于表征骨和软骨厚切片中的组织结构并产生三维重建。该显微镜包括一个电动x-y载物台，带有编码器，可执行高精度、自动化和重复性任务。这将使得能够自动捕获和重建大组织切片的高放大率镶嵌图像。它包括具有epi荧光的数字成像头，用于检查荧光染料标记的组织结构（例如，注射的荧光骨标记物成像以量化重塑速率）。该显微镜还包括先进的光学DIC，相位和明场成像和高分辨率成像系统。为了提供骨的定量分析，该系统包括OSTEO 2009骨生物学研究系统软件。该软件包设计用于骨的复杂形态测量分析，包括与骨形成、重塑和矿物质沉积相关的结构和细胞参数。戴尔工作站将连接并运行这些系统。该仪器将位于Penn肌肉骨骼疾病中心的结构-功能生物力学核心并由其管理，该中心由NIH/NIAMS通过P30赠款提供支持。该核心一直是宾夕法尼亚大学大量NIH资助和非NIH资助研究人员的关键资源设施。所提出的系统将大大提高结构-功能生物力学核心的能力。我们目前表征正常、患病、受伤或修复状态下肌肉骨骼组织微观结构的能力不足以满足我们用户群的需求。随着我们内核的结构成分变得越来越量化，这种显微镜是绝对必要的。2009年美国复苏和再投资法案：宾夕法尼亚大学医学院为当地经济做出了巨大贡献。2008年，医学院为区域经济活动贡献了37，000个工作岗位和54亿美元。目前的提案将影响每个用户的研究计划，以在大费城地区保留或创造就业机会，并在全国范围内推进科学和健康。此外，它将创造或保留与此仪器购买相关的小企业的就业机会。位于宾夕法尼亚州阿德莫尔的显微镜供应商Optical Apparatus Co是一家小型女性拥有的少数民族企业，拥有8名员工，位于田纳西州纳什维尔的软件供应商Bioquant Image Analysis Corp是一家小型生物技术公司，拥有6名员工;此次仪器采购将显著影响这些公司的就业机会。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This instrumentation proposal is for the Eclipse 90i Motorized Advanced Research Microscope (Nikon Instruments, Melville, NY, USA) with OSTEO 2009 Bone Biology Research System Software (BIOQUANT Image Analysis Corporation, Nashville, TN, USA) and with a Dell T3400 workstation and monitor (Dell Corporation). The Nikon Eclipse 90i microscope is a state-of-the art research system. It is distinguished from other microscopes available to our large user base by the integrated motorized z-axis for automated capture of image stacks, which will be used to characterize tissue structures in thick sections of bone and cartilage and produce three dimensional reconstructions. The microscope includes a motorized x-y stage with encoders for performing precision, automated and repetitive tasks with high accuracy. This will enable automated capture and reconstruction of high magnification mosaic images of large tissue sections. It includes a digital imaging head with epi fluorescence for examination of fluorochrome labeled tissue structures (e.g., imaging of injected fluorescent bone markers to quantify remodeling rates). The microscope also includes advanced optics for DIC, phase, and bright field imaging and a high resolution imaging system. To provide quantitative analysis of bone, the system includes OSTEO 2009 Bone Biology Research System Software. This software package is designed for complex morphometric analysis of bone, including structural and cellular parameters relating to bone formation, remodeling, and mineral apposition. A Dell workstation will interface and run these systems. This instrument will be located in and managed by the Structure-Function Biomechanics Core of the Penn Center for Musculoskeletal Disorders which is supported by NIH/NIAMS through a P30 grant. This Core has been a critical resource facility for a large number of NIH-funded and non-NIH funded investigators at the University of Pennsylvania. The proposed system will greatly enhance the capabilities of the Structure- Function Biomechanics Core. Our current ability to characterize the microstructure of musculoskeletal tissues under normal, diseased, injured, or repaired states is not sufficient for the needs of our user base. As the structural component of our Core is becoming increasingly quantitative, this microscope is absolutely necessary. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009: The University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine contributes substantially to the local economy. The School of Medicine contributed 37,000 jobs and $5.4 billion in regional economic activity in 2008. The current proposal will impact the research program of each user to preserve or create jobs within the greater Philadelphia area and advance science and health across the nation. Further, it will create or preserve jobs at the small businesses associated with this instrument purchase. Optical Apparatus Co, the vendor for the microscope, in Ardmore, PA is a small woman-owned minority business with eight employees and Bioquant Image Analysis Corp, the vendor for the software, in Nashville, TN is a small biotechnology company with six employees; this instrument purchase will significantly impact job creation at these companies.